text:
Consider Michigan's plan for funding Rhode Island education
RRecently, there have been major stories in local
newspapers about budget fights in many towns involving rising school expenses and higher property Rtaxes to pay the school expenses.
Some voters don't know their school expenses are paid almost exclusively by their local property taxes. Admittedly, the state recently has contributed some funds toward local education, but the most recent report of the Office of Municipal Affairs shows four towns where school expenses have climbed to more than 80 percent of the budget: Exeter 85.3 percent, Richmond 81 percent, South Kingstown 80.3 percent, and Gloucester 80 percent. Right behind them come seven towns where school expenses amount to more than 70 percent of the budget: Burrillville 78.9 percent, North Kingstown 75.8 percent, Coventry 75 percent, Scituate 71.6, West Warwick 71 percent, Cumberland 71percent, and Portsmouth 70.3 percent. Next comes the biggest group of towns: fourteen with school expenses in the 60th percentile, with Jamestown at 66 percent.
Cities and towns that pay the smallest percentage are Pawtucket 37 percent, New Shoreham 35.6 percent, Newport 35.2 percent, Woonsocket 33.5 percent, and Providence, which pays the smallest percentage for schools, 28.2 percent, because Providence has very large service payrolls for full-time police and fire departments.
The usual way of fighting off increasing school expenses is to close a school or chop curriculum: reduce sports to football and baseball; eliminate art, music, and drama; get the curriculum down to "readin', ritin', and rithmetic." Soon there is a political division between people with kids in school and those without. Most often, the schools and kids lose, because about 75 percent of the people in town do not have children in the schools, against only 25 percent who do.
Michigan is the only state I know that has created and implemented a plan that sharply reduced property taxes and shifted most of the expense of primary and secondary education to the state budget. Republican Governor John Engler, faced with the customary conflict between climbing school expenses and resistance to higher property taxes, combined with U. S. Senator Debbie A. Stabenow, a Democrat legislative leader, to have the state take over the financing of school expenses and banning the use of property taxes. But how does the state pay for schools? The governor gave the people a choice in a referendum: increase the state income tax by 1.4 percent, or the sales tax by 2.2 percent. In 1993, the voters adopted Governor Engler's plan by 69 to 31 percent, and chose to increase the sales tax. Called Proposal A, the plan has been a success.
Michigan property is now classified as homestead or non-homestead. Homestead property is a resident's home and not subject to property tax. Non-homestead property is business, rental, and vacation property, and is taxed.
From 1994 to 2003 property taxes were reduced by $63 billion, while state taxes increased by $46 billion, for a net decline of $17 billion over 10 years! Michigan's tax burden dropped from 14th in the country to 20th. Homestead property taxes dropped 43.3 percent.
Rhode Island, by contrast, is fifth in state and local property taxes in the country. In fiscal 1999, Rhode Island state aid contributed only 25.5 percent of local revenues, and was 43rd in America. The national average is 31.1 percent.
The Rhode Island General Assembly has tried to decrease reliance on the property tax, especially the phase out of the motor-vehicle excise tax. But there are still two factors explaining why Rhode Island is high on property taxes and lower on other taxes: 1) the state does not tax services in its sales tax; 2) the state's many exemptions narrow the sales-tax base.
Twenty of 45 states with sales taxes include taxing services. Not Rhode Island. Cleaning services are taxed in 21 states, repair services in 21, transportation services in 12, and personal services in five.
Rhode Island exempts grocery food from sales tax, as well as non-prescription drugs, and clothing. Fine. But there are about 155 other items not taxed in Rhode Island, but taxed in other states.
In Rhode Island, when the irresistible force, school expenses, hits the immovable object, property tax, the voters may want to consider Michigan's Proposal A. It seems to work.
The writer is a Jamestown resident and is a former governor of Rhode Island.


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Ken Rudin
Ken Rudin is NPR's Political Junkie. For most of the past 20 years, Rudin has been the eyes and ears of political coverage as political editor. Rudin focuses on all aspects of politics, from presidential elections with the primaries, national conventions, debates and general election, to the races for the House, Senate and state governors. He has analyzed every congressional race in the nation since 1984.
In 2011, Rudin added to his duties by becoming part of the network's Impact of Government project. This local-national journalism initiative will add editorial resources and reporters to NPR member stations in all 50 states, to better inform the public about the impact that the actions of state governments has on citizens and communities. Rudin mentors and advises these reporters on covering the effects politics and politicians have on people.
In addition to his role with Impact of Government, Rudin continues to contribute NPR's political coverage. Every Wednesday, he can be heard on Talk of the Nation in the "Political Junkie" segment. In the "It's All Politics" blog on NPR.org, Rudin delves into campaign history, strategy and trivia, including the popular ScuttleButton contest.
Rudin was a key player on the NPR team that won the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton award for excellence in broadcast journalism in 2002 for coverage of campaign finance.
From 1983 through 1991, Rudin worked at ABC News, serving first as deputy political director and later as the off-air Capitol Hill reporter covering the House. He first joined NPR in 1991, as its first political editor. Rudin returned to NPR in 1998, after a three-year absence during which he was the managing editor of the Hotline, a daily political newsletter. He also wrote the "Political Graffiti" column for The Hill, a newspaper covering Capitol Hill.
A political junkie for many decades, Rudin has one of the most extensive collections of campaign buttons in the country, a collection that now surpasses 70,000 items. Rudin is a graduate of Pace University in New York.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Listen, I'm no prude. I get it, condoms feel terrible and nobody likes them. But the fact of the matter is most of us use them as we don't want to die from horrible diseases nor do any of us want to have children, ever, because they crush our dreams and can't comprehend that one day, sautéed broccoli will be an appetizing experience.
Anyway, apparently, there's little need for condoms on film. Here's an example of a very realistic sex scene in which two characters didn't waste any time with contraception:
When two characters just can't resist themselves and the sexual tension has come to a climax, I understand that filmmakers would not want to have them pause and go "Hey, I think I have a condom. Just a head's up, I'm never good at putting it on so I may awkwardly ask you to do so." And as such, it's very unrealistic. I want realism in my sex scenes, even if that means afterward the characters awkwardly encounter each other in the bathroom for post-coital clean up.
No Beverage in That Cup
Dear movie character,
That cup you are drinking from is too light! It's supposed to be filled to the brim yet you are flailing around, haphazardly bringing it to your lips. Coffee should be spilling everywhere.
Fill your cup, please.
A discouraged beverage fan
Rain During a Dramatic Conversation
Here's something I've never seen happen in real life:
What, no umbrellas in your movie world? You know what I do every morning? Check the weather. With all the apps and plugins we surround ourselves with, we have constant access to information pertaining to whether or not a umbrella will be required that day. It's all very easy. I also have it on good authority that it was the whole point of the iPhone.
Anyway, never ever in my life have I had an important conversation in the rain. Usually, if something imperative needs to be discussed, it is rehearsed ad nauseum in my head and then I invite that person to go get coffee. Then, and only then, will I decide that I'm too much of a coward to bring it up, and will return to my scone. Never during that scenario is it raining.
Shaved Stomachs
I have actually no issue with the shaved chests that Hollywood hunks sport when their shirts comes off. We unfortunately live in a world where that's now a normal thing that assholes and non-assholes alike can do. Fair enough. But what I do have issue with is when movies try to make it appear that a male character does in fact have a full chest of hair, but for some reason it stops immediately when it gets to the stomach. That's not how it works. Just ask any guy afraid to take his shirt off at the beach. Or that guy's girlfriend.
Hi, Here's a Blatantly Fake Phone Number
"What's your phone number?"
"It's 555-completely fake. That's 555-we're too lazy to find another way to get across the information that characters have exchanged phone numbers."
"Great, i'll call you back never because that doesn't exist and we've completely given up on making this movie feel like an escape for the viewer."


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Guide to MySQL High Availability
Data is the currency of today's web, mobile, social, enterprise and cloud applications. Ensuring data is always available is a top priority for any organization - minutes of downtime will result in significant loss of revenue and reputation.
This Guide is designed to assist Developers, Architects and DBAs in navigating the complex waters of HA. It presents:
- A methodology for selecting the right HA solution to meet Service Level Agreements;
- A tour of the leading certified HA solutions for MySQL;
- Operational best practices to implement and support HA.


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Organisers: Herbert Gangl (Durham), John Jones (Warwick), Pierre Lochak (Paris VI) and Bruno Vallette (Nice)
Scientific Advisors: Giovanni Felder (ETH Zürich), and Alexander Goncharov (Yale)
Workshop Theme
Grothendieck-Teichmüller theory was day dreamt (as 'Galois-Teichmüller theory') by Grothendieck in his Longue Marche à travers la théorie de Galois and Esquisse d'un programme. It was then 'pioneered' by Y. Ihara and V.G. Drinfel'd whose famous 1989 paper fits especially well into the overall theme of this programme since it introduces a novel form of 'universal' deformation theory. The same year P. Deligne explained in his equally famous paper on the thrice punctured projective line the connection between Grothendieck-Teichmüller theory, Multiple Zeta Values and mixed Tate motives.
It should be noted however that in the mind of Grothendieck himself, 'Galois-Teichmüller' theory was not supposed to be exclusively or even primarily motivic, extending in particular to the consideration of moduli stacks of curves of any genus.
The workshop will also be an opportunity for discussing this more topological side of the theory, along with the elliptic (genus 1) theory for Polylogarithms and their special values which currently features the 'frontier' case of the motivic side of the theory.
This overly compressed historical introduction can help make sense of the following incomplete list of the themes which this workshop will touch upon:
- Associator and double shuffle relations.
- Mixed Tate motives and motivic fundamental groups.
- Mixed Hodge structures and fundamental groups.
- Polylogarithms and variations of mixed Hodge structures.
- Grothendieck-Teichmüller theory in a motivic framework.
- Functional equations of polylogarithms and K-theory.
- Elliptic polylogarithms and their special values.
- Grothendieck-Teichmüller theory: higher genus.


text: If you have time this weekend, you might want to take a stop by your local Buell dealer for a screaming deal. We just got this photo sent to us via A&R Streetlevel, and after calling a few shops in the SF/Bay Area we've heard some great prices and negotiating salesman on the other end of the phone. We've even heard of deals as low at $3,995 for an 1125CR. At that price, it doesn't matter if Harley-Davidson honors Buell's warranties, you can by enough parts bikes to your heart's content.


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Many animal shelters provide follow-up assistance after you adopt your cat. Check with your local shelter to see if pet parenting, behavioral training or other classes are offered.read more
Did you know that 8 to 10 percent of the population is allergic to cats? If you're one of those individuals, then the itching, watering eyes and sneezing associated with cats are all too familiar.
Now, a new vaccine holds promise of not just diminishing cat-allergy symptoms, but of curing the problem altogether. An added perk is that, unlike drugs that come with a laundry list of scary side effects, this vaccine has next to none, according to its creator Mark Larche and his team. Here, Larche, a professor at McMaster University's School of Medicine, explains how the cutting-edge new vaccine could help you or your cat-allergic friends and relatives.
Cat Allergy Cause and Effect
It is a common myth that cat fur itself causes all of the sneezing and wheezing in those who suffer from pet allergies. What's on the fur, however, turns out to be more important. "Allergies to cats are caused by proteins that are secreted by the cat and spread onto its fur by grooming," says Larche. "Our vaccine is composed of synthetic fragments of one (the most important one) of these proteins."
To identify the protein and to learn more about it, he and his team analyzed blood samples from 100 patient volunteers who are allergic to cats. Doing this allowed the scientists to see which components of the protein activate T-cells in certain people. T-cells are helper cells that fight infection in the immune system.
"Allergies are a form of hypersensitivity," explains Larche. "We all make immune responses to allergens that we encounter in the environment, but most people make a tolerant response that results in no inflammation. However, for reasons that are incompletely understood, some people make the wrong kind of response -- an allergic response." By providing low doses of the allergen -- tweaked so they don't contain the parts that may stimulate the immune system -- the researchers came up with the new vaccine.
How Patients Receive Treatments
The vaccine is still only available in drug trials, but it appears that four to eight doses may be required in the first year, with possibly none required for subsequent years. Larche thinks a needle-less injection system could be used to administer the needed doses in the future.
Stephen Durham, head of the Allergy and Clinical Immunology department at Imperial College London, says the data about the new vaccine is very encouraging. "A significant proportion of cat owners develop allergy to their cats, which varies from bothersome eye and nasal symptoms through to moderate-severe disease or even life-threatening asthma attacks," says Durham. "Avoidance strategies may be impossible or refused."
Durham mentions that traditional allergy shots pose a risk of serious side effects, "particularly in asthmatics." This new vaccine promises to provide "good symptom-control and disease remission, while avoiding the risk of side effects," he adds. Cat-allergy sufferers both with and without asthma have participated in the trials, and so far so good.
Other Ways of Curbing Cat Allergies
Until the new vaccine becomes widely available, the Humane Society of the United States suggests that you try these five steps if your household includes one or more cat-allergy sufferers:
1. Clean your house often to remove dust and cat dander. Vacuum or wash curtains, furniture covers, pet beds and other items.
2. Bathe your pet often. Consult with your veterinarian to make sure that you are doing this correctly and using products that will not deplete your cat's skin and fur of necessary oils.
3. Set up an allergy-free area. Close this area, such as the bedroom, off to your cat.
4. Consider purchasing a HEPA air cleaner, perhaps just for the allergic individual's bedroom. Central heating and cooling systems can also be outfitted with stronger filtration systems to help clean the air.
5. Make sure it's a cat allergy. Many things in the home can cause allergic reactions. Even people who are allergic to cats can be allergic to other things, so be sure the individual receives a thorough checkup from an appropriate specialist.
Some very good news is that the same research know-how that resulted in the new cat-allergy vaccine is being applied to allergies caused by dust mites, ragweed, grass, birch tree and moulds. In the future, most allergies may therefore figuratively bite the dust.
Jennifer Viegas is the managing editor of The Daily Cat. She is a journalist for Discovery News, the news service for the Discovery Channel, and has written more than 20 books on animals, health and other science-related topics.
Claudia says: I have fairly sevree animal allergies and I am able to build up some tolerance to my own animal's dander while other people's animals cause a reaction. The difference also is that your cats dont stay in the house full time. Your friend's home is covered in dander from top to bottom and that is what makes you have an allergic reation there. Some people are more allergic to animal dander than to the fur itself, which is my problem. Dander is made up of dead skin cells that have been shed and old saliva that the animal used to clean itself with. That dander is built up in your friend's house and covers the couches, chairs, rugs, etc. Any movement stirs this dander up into the air and into your nose and lungs and causes the reaction. My animal allergy is very sevree with dogs but not so much with cats. If I go to someone's house that owns a dog, even if the dog is put away I will starts sneezing and wheezing; especially if there are children around running and making the latent dander fly around. I find that although poodles are supposed to be nonallergenic, that they effect me the worse because they have that beard by their mouth that stays wet with drool and I am allergic to that not the fur, which they say is really hair on a poodle.I had 2 cats in my home and just stayed on Zyrtec or Allegra and that was enough to keep my allergies to the cats in check but when I went to my mother's house with 4 cats I would get all sniffled up despite the allergy pills, probably due to the different properties in each cat's dander that I wasnt used to. Nope it isnt that I didnt want to spend time with my parents or was using the allergy as an excuse to cut out early the reaction was quite real. It was also misunderstood because it was hard for others to imagine how I could have cats in my own house but my nose would turn into a virtual faucett at my parent's house. It just depends on if you are allergic to the fur versus the dander I guess.
Cats reach full skeletal development when they are this old:


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"Is There a Way to Resolve Conflicts?" Ask Uganda Villagers
Scientology Volunteer Ministers conduct seminar in Central Uganda village of Wobulenzi
Some 35 miles (57 kilometers) north of Kampala in the Luwero District of Central Uganda, villagers of the town of Wobulenzi learned an important lesson at a Scientology Volunteer Ministers seminar on conflict resolution.
The town council chairman and local teachers were among the 900 villagers who attended the program conducted by a team of Kampala-based Scientology Volunteer Ministers.
How to Resolve Conflicts was the subject of the program and the technology covered was developed by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. This is one of the 19 subjects of the Scientology Handbook available as free online courses through the Scientology website and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers website.
In fact, the leader of the group, Pehaiah Paul M. Teba, learned about the program in 2007 when he found the Volunteer Ministers website while searching online for solutions to the many problems faced by the people of his country. Since then, he has conducted hundreds of seminars to many thousands of people in schools, churches and villages throughout Uganda and neighboring countries.
Some 37 percent of the population of Uganda subsists on less than a $1.25 U.S. a day, and years of civil war have decimated entire sections of the country.
Skill in resolving conflicts had relevance to many aspects of the lives of the Wobulenzi villagers—from resolving farming and herding disputes to patching up friendships and marriages threatened by seemingly irresolvable differences.
"I have learnt how communication can solve a number of problems," said one of the participants. "I have learnt to be honest and faithful, and how to resolve conflicts," said another. "This is going to help us solve conflicts in our communities," was the reaction of yet another who attended the seminar.
Any group wishing to learn this technology may request to have a free onsite seminar by a Scientology Volunteer Minister.
The Volunteer Ministers program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. And all are welcome to do so.
Equipped with effective technology to resolve virtually any difficulty, Volunteer Ministers live by the motto: "No matter the problem, something can be done about it."
Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Ministers training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Ministers website to anyone who wishes to help others.
The Church of Scientology has published a new brochure, Scientology How We Help: Scientology Volunteer Ministers—Something Can be Done About It, to meet requests for more information about the program. To learn more or read a copy of the brochure, visit the Scientology website.
In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, L. Ron Hubbard wrote, "If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance."


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You are here
Disaster Field Operations Center – East (FOCE) | Leadership
Frank Skaggs
Frank Skaggs was appointed Director of Field Operations Center East (FOCE) on July 11, 2005 after serving as Deputy Director for five years. His responsibilities as Center Director includes planning, directing and coordinating the implementation of SBA's disaster assistance program in the 27 states east of the Mississippi River, plus Minnesota, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from his office in Atlanta.
With a career in SBA's disaster assistance program spanning 25 years, Frank's seasoned approach to helping people finance their recovery from natural disasters of all kinds is remarkable. It's a compassionate approach that has grown out of his care and concern for the victims. He recognizes the fact that many disaster victims lose everything they have worked for all of their lives in a matter of minutes and face months of rebuilding.
Under his leadership FOCE maintains a proactive posture in its role as a relief provider, with on-site professionals to help disaster victims with the application process. In fiscal year 2011, FOCE provided proactive support to disaster victims of over one hundred and sixty six declared disasters. Also, his care and concern for the disaster victim developed an environment for his staff to submit several nominations of worthy candidates for the National Phoenix and National American Spirit Awards. Many FOCE nominees became National Award winners over the past years.
Frank cultivates and fosters good working relationships with effective lines of communications with Federal agencies, Chief Executives of State and local governments, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of gaining their support and cooperation in the delivery of effective disaster assistance services.
This leadership ability was developed by managing several small businesses and his progression though a variety of positions within the SBA disaster assistance program. Frank is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky.


text:
. . . I am not! A wrinkled old granny would be closer. I have a lot of fun with my computer, and for some strange reason take an interest in security issues. Not that I will ever progress beyond the knowledge level of a newbie. Sheesh! At this stage of life, as they say, my "forgetter" is getting better and my "rememberer" is getting worse. I didn't choose the moniker "Airhead" for nothing! But I try.
Basically, I am just hoping to learn enough to keep from getting my computer infected with a disabling virus, to keep the script kiddies out of my machine, and to help out my friends, who have even less computer knowledge than I.
I will probably be lurking more than posting, but when I do post . . . help out a little old lady, will you?


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|Page (1) of 1 - 02/29/12
|email article
|print page
Italy's Costa Crocierie cruise line brand severely weakened by back-to-back ship accidents
MILAN (AP) ' Costa Crociere SpA, the largest cruise ship brand in Europe, is facing a legal and public relations nightmare after seeing two high-profile disasters on its luxury liners barely six weeks apart.
Costa Crociere bookings already had dipped by an estimated one-third following the Jan. 13 wreck of its Concordia cruise ship off a Tuscan island that killed up to 32 passengers and crew. The company is blaming that shipwreck on its captain, who stands accused of abandoning ship as passengers struggled to escape.
Now, following an engine room fire this week that left its Allegra cruise ship drifting without power in the Indian Ocean, Costa faces an even more difficult future.
Industry exerts said Costa's survival after 60 years in the passenger ship business could depend on the company changing its name or getting a bailout from its parent, U.S.-based Carnival.
Magda Antonioli, the director of the tourism Masters program at Bocconi University in Milan, said Costa must think about rebranding itself after the back-to-back disasters.
"Certainly images of the two accidents have been around the world," Antonioli said.
But many in the cruise business don't think the disasters will prove to be Costa's death knell or even have a long-term impact on the wider cruise industry, which experiencing phenomenal growth as the number of healthy elderly rises and more families choose cruises for intergenerational vacations.
"No, not the end for Costa, which has operating passenger ships for over 60 years," Douglas Ward, author of the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, said in an email from a ship off the Australian coast. "But the relentless media spotlight may dilute the brand and perhaps the number of ships in fleet."
Costa has nearly doubled its fleet, from five to 14 ships, since being acquired by Carnival in 2000. Sales in 2010 rose 12 percent to euro2.8 billion ($3.8 billion) while the number of passengers increased 18 percent to 2.15 million.
Based in Genoa, Costa has a 7 percent global market share, the largest of Carnival's subsidiaries. With two ships now disabled by accidents, two more are scheduled for launch before the heavy summer European cruise season opens, and another is expected on the water by 2014.
Ward said the real impact would be the lost jobs among people who work on the ships, many from developing nations whose families depend on those seafaring jobs.
In Italy alone, Costa contributed euro2.2 billion ($3 billion) to the economy in 2010 through tourism, shipbuilding, shipboard suppliers and other related spending, according to a study by Milan Polytechnic.
Bookings on Costa dropped some 30 percent after the Concordia, and are down around 22 to 25 percent in the wake of the Allegra's generator fire on Feb. 27, said Roberto Corbella, president of Italy's tour operator industry group.
But he said the early estimates are not reliable and can pick up at any time. The impact on Costa bookings during the critical first quarter ' when most high-season cruises are booked ' will only be known next week when Carnival releases its results.
"We have seen that longtime cruise-goers are unfazed, they continue to make reservations. It is the first-time cruise-goer who is waiting to reserve until they feel more confident," Corbella said.
Two days after the Allegra fire, the ship's 1,000 passengers and crew were facing a third night without lights, air conditioning or power. Passengers were sleeping outside and eating only cold foods. Canned food was being helicoptered onto the stricken ship, which was being towed and expected to reach the Seychelles' main island on Thursday.
"Certainly it is an ugly thing, and it is better if it hadn't happened, but all of the people of the company are working to reduce the discomfort to the passengers," Corbella said. "In my view, it is a brand that can continue. It has a long history, and this history is also positive and has always been solid and serious."
The financial damage to Costa is still unknown. The company said it can't determine how long the Allegra will be out of service until it surveys the damage. The ship was just a week into a monthlong cruise from Mauritius to Savona in Italy when the engine fire hit. Its next cruise, beginning March 17 in the eastern Mediterranean, has been canceled.
The $450 million Concordia has been partially submerged since Jan. 13 but no decisions have been made yet on whether it can be salvaged. The company faces dozens of lawsuits, besides paying compensation to the 4,200 people who were on board the ship.
Shares of Carnival were up 0.9 percent, or 26 cents, at $30.27 on Wednesday in the U.S. after falling earlier this week on news of the Allegra fire. The shares were trading above $35 prior to the Costa Concordia incident in mid-January, when they dropped to a near five-month low of $29.22.
Costa's real image issue is that the two accidents were so close together.
"I think the problem now for Costa is that it is too close to the Costa Concordia disaster, which is totally different from what happened to the Allegra. Engine room fires can happen. But usually they are more of an annoyance," said Teijo Niemela, the Helsinki-based editor of Cruise Business Review.
The Allegra was retrofitted in 1992 from a cargo ship built in 1969, and underwent a euro12 million ($16 million) restyling in 2006. Newer ships, he said, have two separate engine rooms and a thick firewall to prevent fires from disabling the ship and halting the cruise.
Ironically, if Costa's response to the Allegra fire is sure-footed enough, experts said that could help dispel impressions the company has issues in training its crew. Passenger accounts from the Concordia indicated deep confusion over the seriousness of the accident and a chaotic, deadly evacuation.
"It should restore confidence that the last event was a one-off event and show that the staff is pretty well-versed in how to handle an emergency when it occurs," said Jaime Katz, an analyst at Morning Star.


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Another piece of good news (thanks to Maureen for sending me the link) – Malala is out of the hospital.
Over the past few weeks, Malala has been leaving the hospital on home visits to spend time with her father Ziauddin, mother Toorpekai and younger brothers, Khushal and Atul.
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said doctors believe she will continue to make good progress outside the hospital.
The schoolgirl is due to undergo cranial reconstruction surgery in late January or early February.
Dr Dave Rosser, the trust's medical director, said: "Malala is a strong young woman and has worked hard with the people caring for her to make excellent progress in her recovery.
"Following discussions with Malala and her medical team, we decided that she would benefit from being at home with her parents and two brothers.
"She will return to the hospital as an outpatient and our therapies team will continue to work with her at home to supervise her care."
That makes me happy.


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Queen Size Race Car Bed Frame - The Park is an area or plot of land planted with various herbs and given some additional components that are beneficial to humans. Components in the Park consist of components of biotic and abiotic component of mutually supporting each other. Biotic components of the grounds, among others: humans, animals, and plants. While the component of the abiotic component grounds, among other things: land, water, air, and light from the Sun.
Queen Size Race Car Bed Frame - On most grounds there are some additional components such as fountains, walkways, a pond, a gazebo, a swing and a variety of other decorations that can add to the aesthetic value of the Park. In General, children are made to compose, arrange, and planting a variety of plants, such as trees, grass, and flowers as one of efforts of greening. The general objective of establishing the Park was to make an area becomes beautifuler, cool, comfortable, and are arranged in neat.
The park must remain guarded and preserved by all people, because children have a different functionality and benefits to the community, and the environment. Therefore, it is necessary a variety of things that can be done in the preserve grounds, for example clearing the garden of various rubbish, dried leaves and various impurities that give negative effects and can interfere with the beauty of the garden. Trim the plant periodically and cut the weeds. Went watering on a regular basis to all the plants contained in a garden. Provide fertilizer, to make the soil fertile being. Eradicate various pests that can disrupt the plants in the garden. Conduct regular inspections of facilities in the Park.
Queen Size Race Car Bed Frame is covered by a variety of plants ranging from grass, flowers and trees there in the Park. These plants add to the beauty of the garden. In addition, there are ornaments ornament statue of a jukebox in the garden so that adds to the wonderful atmosphere of the garden. The Park can be used as an object for the photo session. The Park add power support to the environment because there is a wide variety of plants then can increase the amount of oxygen in addition also embellish the ambiance, and reduce pollution. An increase in the power of open green farm support is very important, because the existence of open land is green then environmental quality will be better than ever before.


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|St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
|High School:
|Mechanical Engineering
2011-12: Played in 25 matches as a junior … Academic All-NEWMAC … ITA Scholar Athlete … went 8-8 in singles play … went 1-1 at the ITA Tournament (9/25) with a straight sets win against Wheaton's Danny Sharon … while in the No. 2 position for the majority of the year went 4-3 … picked up victories against Bentley (3/2), Salem State (3/8), Springfield (4/14) and Emerson (4/19) … went 6-3 overall in doubles play, for the third best record on the team … played three matches with Larry Pang as well as Tymor Hamamasy … had a 2-1 record with each partner … won a match against #4 Williams (10/2) in the No. 3 position, 8-4, with Larry Pang … won both NEWMAC matches alongside Tymor Hamamasy against Wheaton (4/21) and Coast Guard (4/23).
2010-11: Second on the team in singles victories with 10 … finished the season with a 10-5 singles mark … first team All-NEWMAC at No. 4 singles … NEWMAC Academic All-Conference … ITA Scholar Athlete … 5-1 at No. 4 … 3-2 in doubles … dropped just one game in a victory over an opponent from Emerson (3/3) … that win started a four-match win streak, his longest of the season … closed the season on a three-match win streak … that included a 6-1, 6-1 win over Nissim Choen-Sabban from Babson (4/30) … won all three of his spring doubles matches with partner Andrew Cooper.
Off The Court at MIT: Majoring in mechanical engineering … internship with Pro Forma: Innovative Energy Solutions … research with MIT's Electrochemical Energy Lab and Liquid Metal Battery Project.


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Search terms
Philips AVENT storage system for easy storage
The Philips AVENT storage system is a versatile, space saving storage system designed to grow with your baby. Use the same cup to store breast milk and baby food for your baby. It fits all Philips AVENT breast pumps and nipples. See all benefits
Easy to label cups help you track dates and contents
For safe storage and transport
Ideal for storing and transporting
The breast milk storage containers are compatible with all Philips Avent breast pumps and nipples.
The Philips Avent cups can be stored in the fridge or freezer and are dishwasher safe


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Peck Funeral Home is honored to have been serving the families of Morgan County since 1929.
We are proud to remain one of a dwindling number of locally family owned and operated funeral homes.
We believe this allows us the flexibility and common sense needed to meet the different needs of all those we serve.
Our goal is simple and has remained the same for over 88 years. We strive to provide genuine "Service from the Heart" to all our families.


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In this PSD to HTML Using Photoshop and Dreamweaver training course, expert author David Place teaches you the core principles of creating workable websites using these two Adobe programs. This course is designed for users that already have a working knowledge of Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
You will start out by creating a PSD mockup using Photoshop. David will teach you about the design basics in Photoshop, layer properties, slicing, and web optimization. From there, you will dive into working in Dreamweaver to transform your Photoshop document into a working website.
In this course, we'll take a beautiful PSD design, and, over the course of a dozen videos, convert it to HTML and CSS!
Taking a website mock-up designed in Photoshop (PSD) and converting it into a working website is without doubt the most common task for any web designer today. In this course, Craig Campbell will show you how easy it can be!
Have you ever tried to take a nice PSD design for a web site and tried to translate it to HTML? Not always easy, is it! Here is Adi Purdila to help us learn this sometimes tricky art.


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District Has Security Plans
ST. MARYS — In the wake of the mass shooting that killed more than two dozen people at a Connecticut elementary school Friday morning, one local school official says he will review the district's security plan.
"We have monthly safety meetings in which we cover a lot of topics," St. Marys Superintendent Shawn Brown told The Evening Leader Friday afternoon. "We absolutely will be discussing this issue. We will follow it and will try to learn from it. You try to learn from every incident that happens and try to do what you can to eliminate as many casualties as we can. It's a learning experience and you wish you can plan for everything, but you just can't."
When the new school was built, a slew of new security features were included. A visitor to the school can enter the main doors, but must be buzzed in by someone in the office as the doors leading into the office and school are locked.
"We have policies in place for controlled access as well as emergency lockdowns — depending on the severity of the threat," Brown said. "Dan Grothause went to a conference and listened to the superintendent and high school principal from Chardon to get an idea of these types of situations and what they did and suggestions for improvements."
Among the improvements is ALICE training — which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. Brown underwent the training while at Spencerville and noted he would like to bring it to St. Marys. The training helped prepare faculty and staff on how to respond in the event of an active shooter.
The addition of panic buttons in offices could be coming in the near future.
"I think our security features are working, but nothing is fool proof," Brown said. "We don't have panic buttons, but I was talking with Dan Grothause earlier this week and that's something we plan on discussing. There could be the potential for panic buttons for the secretaries and principals."
Local school officials wouldn't have to turn far for ALICE training. St. Marys Police Sgt. Tim Eberle and Patrolman Randy Allemeier are certified ALICE trainers and have been traveling to schools teaching the program's techniques.
"It teaches people how to deal with an active shooter," St. Marys Police Chief Greg Foxhoven said. "We present it to schools because it just so happens that these acts are happening there."
Law enforcement officials across the county routinely train for active shooter scenarios. Foxhoven said much of that training has changed since the Columbine shooting in 1999.
"Back then it was set up a perimeter and wait until the SWAT team showed up and then they would go in," Foxhoven said. "Now if it happens, every officer on duty would respond and the first four who get there would go in and search for the shooter — our goal is to get to the shooter before there are any more victims so we can make the scene as safe as possible so that any victims can be treated."
Foxhoven touted the security upgrades at the new school. He also noted panic buttons would be beneficial for law enforcement in the event a similar situation takes place in St. Marys.
"Any type of immediately notification, the better off we would be," Foxhoven said. "I know there are several security devices at the school, which are designed to eliminate and deter someone, but if someone is committed to do this, they will find a way in. That's what we have to prepare for and I think our school is now leaps and bounds above where they were at the old school in terms of safety."


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|WA Seasonal Rainfall Outlook: probabilities for April to June 2006, issued 23rd March 2006
50:50 chances for above average June quarter rainfall
The current seasonal rainfall odds do not strongly favour either wetter or drier than average conditions. Therefore, the chances of accumulating at least median rain during the June quarter (Apr-June) are close to 50% across Western Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology announced today.
The outlooks are based on relationships between Pacific and Indian Ocean temperatures and Australian rainfall. Recent ocean temperatures have not been sufficiently warmer or cooler than average to produce a strong bias in rainfall outlook odds.
For the April to June period, the chances of above median rainfall are between 45 and 55% across WA (see map). So in years with ocean patterns like the current, about five June quarters out of ten are expected to be drier than the median over the State, with about five out of ten being wetter.
Outlook confidence is related to how consistently the Pacific and Indian Oceans affect Australian rainfall. During the June quarter, history shows this effect to be moderately consistent in a broad band stretching from the Pilbara to the southeast and far eastern interior. Elsewhere in WA the effect is only weakly or very weakly consistent (see background information).
After rising to +13 in January, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) dropped to a reading of zero in February. The approximate SOI for the 30 days ending 20th March was +11. For more information on the SOI and the current status of ENSO, please see the ENSO Wrap-Up.
Click on the map above for a larger version of the map. Use the reload/refresh button to ensure the latest forecast map is displayed.
|More information on this outlook is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm (WST) Monday to Friday by contacting the Climate and Consultancy section in the Bureau's Perth Office: (08) 9263 2222.
THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE SEASONAL OUTLOOK IS EXPECTED BY 21st APRIL 2006
Corresponding temperature outlook
February 2006 rainfall in historical perspective
December 2005 to February 2006 rainfall in historical perspective
Background Information


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You are an archaeologist trapped in an underground crypt with a limited supply of air. You must survive long enough to reach the crypt's exit.
- Be too rash - and the arachnids will nibble you to death.
- Be too wary - and your air supply will run out.
Luckily, the ancients have left behind med packs, air cans and batteries in the crypt - use them wisely!


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Motorcyclist injured when he lays his bike down
A motorcyclist was injured Thursday afternoon when he laid his 2004 Harley-Davidson down to avoid rear-ending a vehicle, according to McMinnville police.
Sgt. Tim Symons identified the victim as Steve P. Farley, 60, of 16801 S.W. Masonville Road, McMinnville. He gave this account:
Farley was riding northbound in the 2100 block of N.E. Lafayette Ave. when he took evasive action to avoid crashing into a vehicle that was part of a line of vehicles.
He was transported by McMinnville Fire Department ambulance to the Cascade Steel Rolling Mills property and then flown by a Life Flight helicopter to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. He was reported in serious condition.
The incident remains under investigation and no citations have been issued. Officers have not had an opportunity to interview Farley, Symons said.


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9£1802 bikes for restoration suzuki JR 50 italjet Spares RepairsHelston 503 milesSpares repairs both bikes for sale togetherPosted Yesterday
1£1,695Suzuki 650 gladius.vstrom.Birkenhead 264 milesTop condition. Lovely original bike. FSH. good Extras. All keys, tools and documents from new. MOT. Great nearly new tyres, new battery, brakes and chain all excellent. Have a Vstrom 650 and a Honda CB 500 so too many bikes, hence sale No offers as this is cheapest...Posted Yesterday
1£795Suzuki inazuma 750cc new mot swap/sellLlanelli 387 milesSuzuki gsx750 w retro/muscle bike in very good condition for year,12 months mot as from today ,the bike had been dry stored last 2 years and after some fresh petrol and a fully charged battery she fired right up .engine and gearbox are lovely and the bike rides a1.when I...Posted Yesterday
5£2,350For sale gsxr1000 k3 very clean mot 6/2019 , new chain and sprockets shorty levers, crash bungs brand new black widow exhaust and link pipe,power commSouthampton 431 milesWell worth £2500Posted 1 day ago
10£9951994 (M) SUZUKI RF900R in BLACK, NEW 12 MONTH MOT, MILEAGE ONLY 24,285 MilesSouthend On Sea 404 miles1994 (M) SUZUKI RF900R in BLACK \Mileage ONLY 24,285 Miles New 12 MONTH MOT from date of purchase Suzuki RF900R's 937cc, GSX-R1100-derived engine is powerlifter-strong, pulling from just above tickover to the 12,000rpm red line without a dip, cough or stumble...Posted 1 day ago
6£1,795suzuki sv650 2009 new chain/sprockets/new oil & Filter NEW MOT good tyres Only 14600 miles CAN BE A2 COMPLIANTGloucester 368 milesits cheap because its been resprayed ,but it is hpi clear its got a new MOT LOW MILES ,and is ready to ride away ***** IT HAS A2 RETRICTER PLATE AND CERTIFICATE WITH IT ,WHICH CAN BE REFITTED IF REQUIREDPosted 2 days ago
9£2,300Suzuki GSR600. Fully service history. New mot.Sheffield 260 miles2006 Suzuki Gsr600. Full service history. New service and mot will be done before it's sold, so it's new. Only 9525 miles on the clock. Kept in absolutely brilliant condition. Comes with 32 litre Givi blade backbox, has key immobiliser alarm (which document is shown in...Posted 3 days ago
7£1,000Suzuki GSXR 600 old schoolWickford 397 milesGsxr600 red grey and black 1years mot rides great old school gsxr single seat and passenger seat tyres new last year brakes was done only done about 50 miles from last MOT and 100 previous to that doesn't get enough use to be appreciated 2 keys and data alarm£1,000Posted 3 days ago
2£3,000Suzuki gsxr 600 k4-k5 low milesWoking 409 milesSuzuki gsxr k4-k5 600 Low miles under 18,000 Years mot Alarm 2 fobs & 2 keys Stage 3 power commander Yoshi can Very quick bike Very clean for the age Pirelli supercorsa diablo tyres Blacked out front screen (also have original clear) Upgraded front master cylinder that...Posted 4 days ago
5£1,550Suzuki GSXR 600 2001Newton Abbot 464 milesSuzuki GSXR 600 2001 Y REG 33k 10 month MOT. Great looking bike with shortened ART exhaust which sounds great when running. Mechanically sound and great runner quick bike. Had fork seals replaced during MOT. Few aged related marks which can only be expected for...
4£2,800Suzuki TL1000RWinchester 423 milesSuzuki TL1000R 35000 miles. Fantastic condition! New chain, sprockets, breaks, wheels, fairings, Yoshi pipes. £2800 or give me a sensible offer
1£1,500Suzuki banditAbertillery 374 miles1996 suzuki bandit 600cc all working nice clean bike for age swap only mot out on 24th of august will mot it for right swap
6£2,000streetfighter Suzuki 1200 banditSouthampton 431 milesNew tyres , lithium battery; head races , needs some paint , tuned
1£2,500suzuki gsxr1000k1Penzance 505 milesselling as to small for me as being a big man only done 5mile since mot and serviced moted til lfeb19
8£1,65007 SUZUKI SV 650 s ******SOLD*****Swansea 388 milesFor sale, Suzuki SV650S, 2007, only selling as money needed to finish renovation on house. The bike has just been MOT'd (25/07/2018) and has a full 12 months MOT. If you note from the pictures it did have an after market exhaust silencer which has happily passed the...
Member5£1,000Suzuki gsx street fighter retro swap chop bobber hardtail projectBarry 401 milesNot original Mot ready Looking for sale or swap bobber chopper hardtail HUC FRAME or similar parts unfinished bobber shadow etc 600cc up Suzuki gsx 750 flat bars conversion risers headlamp conversion cut down rear mini indicators not crap led Harris pipe brand New...
4£1,2001974 TS 125 SuzukiWhitstable 420 milesUS Import, easy project, starts and runs well, many new parts fitted ,needs finishing as I no longer have the time or space to complete. I have the import papers and a dating certificate.
3£1,400Gsxr750 long mot still a fast bike for its yearBridgwater 417 milesIt is a slingshot 750 gsxr j2 1991 has long mot has been hydrodiped with day of the dead face's.
3£1,7002009 125 van vanLiskeard 473 milesLong mot heated grips black widow exhaust Very good condition may swap for another bike,w.h.y.
1£1,9951979 Suzuki X5 200ccNewport 450 miles1979 Suzuki X5 2 stroke twin cylinder air cooled 200cc, this bike has electric start and comes with current MOT, keys, V5, and some history. This bike is a good clean example of a now increasingly rare 2 stroke, requires a chain guard, and seat has a minor tear, only...
9£1,195Suzuki GW250 Inazuma - 2015 reg (comes with fresh mot)Birmingham 329 milesVery good condition.Repaired Cat C Bike, Garaged. Slight scratches to exhaust silencer off side, clutch cover.. Has a v Scott oiler. V5 doc. Health condition force's sale. First to see, will buy & Priced for quick sale! 12300 MILES ONLY! Great winter bike!!!!!...
0relistedSwansea 388 milesrelisted
4£2,3992008 Suzuki gsr600Blackwood 381 milesBike is in a good condition but does have some age related marks. Bike has plenty of power and handles well There is a number of upgrades on the bike Lower handle bars Blue clutch and brake controls Sport mirrors Blue engine guards all round Adjustable foot peg and gear...
2£1,450Suzuki sv 1000 s k3Milford Haven 393 milesGood reliable bike just had new fork seals front and rear pads new rear tyre chain and sprockets clutch master cyclinder bike runs as it should few are related marks
5£600unfinished project, spares or repair.Driffield 220 milesbought this bike as a project, it had been stood in a garage for 8 years. renewed lots of parts. now a runner. needs a chain guard and a new front tyre. space needed. £650 or n/o. V5 present. please contact for more info.
1£2,200Suzuki DR 400Lowestoft 356 mileslow mileage, runs sweet, no MOT but should not be a problem if the price is offered i will MOT it , been off road for a few years, sorn, Needs new battery which i will supply once sale agreed. genuine bike
2£1,500"Y666 GAV" Private plate for saleStoke On Trent 289 milesCherished number plate Y666 GAV certificate of entitlement. This number is currently on a V750 retention certificate which is valid until 01/08/2025. The £80 assignment fee has already been paid. The plate can only be assigned to a vehicle registered from 01/03/2001...
10£2,200Suzuki gsxr750 corona extraWellingborough 338 milesSuzuki gsxr 750 cc corona extra edition 1993 lovely condition for its age .will need a tweaking on the carbs .as they are 3 stage carbs .serviced oil plugs air filter .brand new rear pirelli tyre new chain and sprockets .a real eye catcher and collectors prized bike for...
2£65HARLEY SPORSTER EXHAUST NEW STOCK ITEMSSouthampton 436 milesNEW PAIR HARLEY SILENSERS FIT SPORSTER 03 ON;;;;
10£1,299Suzuki GN125 Legal Learner - £1,299 onoCamberley 407 milesFor sale Suzuki GN125 in mint condition ready to ride. Selling due getting a bigger bike. Perfect legal learner and commuter bike. Comes with 3 sets of keys, Full HPI check, service manual, all the servicing history, top box, spare bulbs, 12v Power supply, MOT till 03...
10£3,500suzuki gsx 1400Swansea 388 milessuzuki gsx 1400 (k6) 2006 3 owners from new just passed mot July 2018 20000 miles. .many extras including rear hugger.renthal bars . after market brake and clutch leavers.engine bars. led indicators. fly screen.radiator cover. excellent condition for the year ..garaged...
9£5,995Suzuki GT550Swindon 388 miles1976 Classic. In Excellent condition. Fully restored 8 years ago Maintained and used regularly Gibson 3 into 4 expansion chambers New Suzuki standard pistons and much more 26k miles Sold with spares and oil £5995ono
8£2,745Suzuki GSX 650 f K8Bridgend 394 milesLovely example of a GSX 650 F, serviced last in December, in thunder road, some service history. MOT May 2019. Both front and back tyres are like new, have plenty of life in them. The only bad point is a slight scratch on the near side fairing, I have tried to show this...
Member7£4,495EXCELLENT 2006 SUZUKI GSX1400 K5, HEATED GRIPS, 2 OWNERS, EXTRASBlandford Forum 438 milesEXCELLENT 2006 SUZUKI GSX1400 K5, HEATED GRIPS, 2 OWNERS, EXTRAS EXCELLENT CONDITION 2 TONE RED/BLACK 33758 MILES 1 PREVIOUS OWNER HEATED GRIPS LED SPOTLIGHTS ENGINE BARS PIPEWORX EXHAUSTS PUIG...
1£3,800Suzuki gsx1400Grimsby 260 milesGsx 1400 in good all round condition. 19000 miles. 12 months mot
7£1,6952000 Suzuki GXS750Newport 450 miles2000 Suzuki GXS750, 26000 miles in metallic black. Classic retro style 4 cylinder. Comes with history, V5, MOT and keys, only £1695
5£3,2952008 Suzuki DL1000 V stromNewport 450 miles2008 Suzuki DL v strom 1000cc v twin, lots of history, HPI clear, 30,000 miles, boxes and top box, heated grips, spotlights, and other extras, only £3295
5£1,2951981 Suzuki OR50Newport 450 miles1981 Suzuki OR50 classic very rare 2 stroke air cooled custom bike, few of these 50cc bikes were manufactured, this example is original with an original period Micron exhaust, keys, v5, mot, service, and valet included for just £1295
4£9951999 Suzuki SV650Newport 450 miles1999 Suzuki SV650 watercooled v twin 650cc, current MOT, renthal bars, chrome twin headlights, VGC £995


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Report on the State of History Education
Updated in Fall 2011 to include world history requirements and assessments, this revised Report on the State of History Education describes changes in state policies regarding history standards, assessments, and requirements for initial teacher licensure between August 2008 and September 2010. Download the report below, or click on the cover to the left.
To learn more about the original Report on the State of U.S. History Education, read below.
For the thousands of educators participating in Teaching American History grants, it seems obvious that U.S. history is getting more attention in schools than ever before. Over the last seven years, more than $700 million in federal funds have been dedicated to the professional development of U.S. history teachers—the largest funding influx ever. But what is happening in the states? Are students required to take U.S. history? Is student achievement in the subject being documented and monitored?
This report examines the state of U.S. history education primarily at the state level. It focuses on state standards, assessments, and subject-matter requirements for initial teacher licensure and describes significant educational programs that cross state boundaries.
Read the Executive Summary or the full report. Then examine the data for individual states listed below.


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David Wilson entered the league this season as one of the more intriguing running back prospects around. Ten games in, the New York Giants rookie has some work to do.
"David has to learn you can't be just a runner, that's not what we do, you have to be a complete running back, you have to be knowledgeable, you have to be smart, you can't just accept your mistakes," Giants running backs coach Jerald Ingram told the New York Post.
"It's about winning games, it's not a popularity contest. It's time for you to grow up and be a man now and see what you can do with the whole ball of wax. Until he proves that it's hard to stick him out there and feel comfortable."
While fellow rookies Doug Martin and Trent Richardson were handed the keys to the car, Wilson has just three touches in the past four games. He was tossed into coach Tom Coughlin's doghouse early for fumbling issues. The team is concerned about his ability to block and pass protect for citywide treasure, Eli Manning. Finally -- and we're not piling on here, promise -- he's also had trouble catching the ball.
Relive every game this season online and on-demand with enhanced viewing features, including the "All-22" coaches film. Get NFL Game Rewind.
All of it explains why Wilson has just 89 yards off 18 carries in Year One.
"All those things are taken into consideration when you determine whether a guy gets playing time or not," offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride told The Star-Ledger.
Wilson wasn't asked to be a complete back at Virginia Tech. Ingram pointed to Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw as players who also sat and watched until they learned team concepts.
We know this: Big Blue is patient, even if Wilson is not. His role will increase, and we do like his overall prospects for developing into a weapon in New York.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.


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This coming Friday marks the 30th anniversary of the first Apple Mac that went on sale.
NPR technology correspondent Steve Henn joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson to discuss the genesis of the Macintosh, the future of Apple and how the Mac has influenced both Apple and the technological world.
- Steve Henn, technology correspondent for NPR. He tweets @HennsEggs.
This is HERE AND NOW, from NPR and WBUR Boston. I'm Jeremy Hobson.
Thirty years ago today, Apple first aired what is widely considered the greatest commercial in Super Bowl history.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh.
HOBSON: In that ad, Apple invoked George Orwell's totalitarian future, claiming that 1984 won't be like "1984," because of the imminent arrival of the Macintosh computer. Two days later, a young Steve Jobs officially introduced the computer that would forever change not just the company, but the world of personal computing.
STEVE JOBS: You've just seen some pictures of Macintosh. Now I'd like to show you Macintosh in person. All of the images you are about to see on the large screen will be generated by what's in that bag.
HOBSON: Well, of course, a lot has happened since then, and NPR technology correspondent Steve Henn is with us from Silicon Valley to discuss. Hi, Steve.
STEVE HENN, BYLINE: Hi.
HOBSON: Well, the introduction of that Macintosh computer, it's so amazing to hear such a young Steve Jobs. But what did that do for Apple and for personal computing?
HENN: Well, you know, it was a brilliant marketing moment, first and foremost. It set out Apple as a rival to IBM. But actually, at the time that that commercial ran, you know, the most popular personal computer in the country and the world wasn't an IBM PC or an Apple Computer, or even a PC clone. It was the Commodore 64. So, you know, in many ways, that commercial created a narrative about a rivalry between a huge company and Apple, as this sort of plucky upstart, that was fighting for individually creative people. And over the years, I think that really helped sustain the brand.
The other big thing about the Mac that's really important is it was just a better machine than anything else that was out there at the time. It wasn't the first computer to use a mouse or the metaphor of a desktop, but it was the first one that a middle class family could afford. And Bill Gates, who worked closely with Apple, putting software together for that machine, clearly took note and introduced Windows, you know, less than a year later.
HOBSON: And back then, of course, Apple was Think Different. Of course, now it's really much more mainstream. It's hardly different. Everybody's got an Apple product of some kind. What does that do to Apple?
HENN: Well, you know, it's interesting. It's become mainstream because it really has done more than any other company to usher in the post-PC era. You know, the last decade for Apple has been pretty incredible. It introduced the iPhone and the iPad. It's merged computing and entertainment, going back to 2001, with the introduction of the iPod. It's made everything mobile.
So, you know, while it's become part of the mainstream, I think it's still a very innovative company. And people expect Apple to introduce ideas that will, over time, change the way we all live. And I think that's pretty core to sort of how people think about it still.
HOBSON: But there are big questions, Steve, about the future of Apple. Its stock took a tumble in the last year and a half or so. It has come back somewhat. But just in the 30 seconds or so we have left, what do we have coming from Apple in the future?
HENN: Well, you know, I think there are still questions about whether it can innovate in the post-Steve Jobs era. And those may be a little unfair. You know, it - years between the introduction of the iPod and then the iPhone, and then later to introduce the iPad, what I would look for from Apple - and I have to be honest. I don't have any sort of special, real insight into their product plans. But what I'd expect for them to do is to continue to innovate around how we interact with machines. I mean, their big advances in the past have been the graphical user interface, and then the touch screen. And I think in the future, we're going to see machines from Apple that can recognize us and our gestures. So that's what I'm looking for.
HOBSON: NPR technology correspondent Steve Henn, who sounds, because of the line he's on, like he's talking to us from an iPhone, but he isn't. Steve, thanks so much.
HENN: My pleasure. Take care.
HOBSON: This is HERE AND NOW. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Book vs. Film: Apt Pupil
People are just people, like you. I think about this phrase often on the days when I work downtown in a small used bookstore. Some people are really just folks, reading their Ludlum's and Sheldon's, and are harmless. There are people who read narrischkeit like Eat, Pray, Love, profess it to be feminist literature of highest idiom and insist, upon every visit, that you read it already (no. NO.) People who read Clive Barker still exist, surprisingly, and I find they are some of the most identifiable readers; not by dress or manner, but by the weather that hangs around them. It's an intense atmosphere and not completely dissimilar from Pigpen. Our collection of history books, specifically WWII, is hundreds of books deep, regularly populated and picked through, and this is where I say: people are just people. They shouldn't make you nervous. Consider, readers, regular customers of WWII and Nazi Germany. "Anything specifically Holocaust related. That's the good stuff" was a reply given to my question about why history?, delivered dryly and without irony. They come in regularly for the good stuff. People. William Gass said that history likes both size and winning, and at first I thought maybe that was the draw. Is it informative? Is it comforting to know the ending? A release? Escape?
In the case of Todd Bowden, it lit him like a match.
Apt Pupil is a story about the capacity for evil and the will to do it. Todd, the eponymous apt pupil, stalks a Nazi war criminal in hiding, Kurt Dussander, and then one day shows up on his doorstep to blackmail Dussander into telling him that nasty, that gooshy stuff of the war that you won't find in a book. Todd declares this his GREAT INTEREST. His coup de foudre. You've been warned.
The plot of the book and film are plenty similar until the ending. There are two differences I feel compelled to mention. The first: the timeline is much longer. Four years--especially teenaged years--is a sizable, office-term period of time. The single year of the film, while easier to follow I suppose and certainly compact, is comparatively anemic. Secondly, the characters: this deserves a dive. Allow me to elaborate. A lot of the differences in the film one feels safe in assuming that they are a result of those two key things, but this is a story about people, who are just people (like you!). Character changes change the coin of the story, then.
Let's discuss Dussander first. He is rotely evil (Nazi! fun with synonyms! easy!), malicious, yet in both the film and book he manages to evoke sympathetic responses from an audience that is mortified to confess it. Some of the reluctant sympathy can be attributed to being sidled narratively alongside someone as hell-bound as Todd. Todd is unexplainable, but one may begin to rationalize the complexity of Dussander. Stockholm syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. A significant change between novella and film is Dussander's appearance and the condition of his accoutrement; he is a person rotting alive in the novel. He reeks, his toothpick threadbare house reeks, the bourbon he drinks out of cartoon'd jelly jars: reeks. He says and does dreadfully disgusting old man things, but he also does a might more things sinister and terrible. I'm going to tell you: that's not his first hobo murder rodeo. It's important to note this, and that Dussander had buried five other bodies in his basement prior to the one he was burying when he had a heart attack (in the film, he doesn't actually kill the guy; Todd does. Another example of a small but major change that impacts the opinion of Dussander. I digress) and it smelled like dang dead bodies in that house. There was no way he was gonna get out of that one; he was going to get caught, eventually. But the reader is aware that he is capable of murder beyond his time with the SS, and not just botching it, and that he does so as climatic stress-relief.
And I want you to know that he kills that cat, actually, and a number of others on the regular before moving on to the homeless. That small scene in the book was so traumatic for me, so upsetting, that upon watching I was simultaneously relieved that it wasn't as graphic (or, pointedly, that it was unsuccessful) as the scene in the book, and disappointed that it didn't go there because he is that terrible.
But he is a little delightful, I'm ashamed to admit, in the film. In my defense, I offer two words: Ian McKellan. It is math, it is logic--it just happens!--like magic.
Some of it could be the changes: film Dussander is sharply dressed, clean, polite. He has teeth. I found myself loving the interactions between Todd and Dussander because this Dussander, the more palatable Dussander, is still a hell of a snake and seems to rather enjoy rushing his rat. This is more readable on film (blessed McKellan eye-work), and so this change is both understandable and enjoyable, even. When he hisses in his snakiest tongue about the blackmail insurance letter he wrote, looped on his lowest branch and reaching blithely into Todd's personal space to stress and disorient him, one squirms. He is a much more effective bully, but this also has something to do with film Todd being a little milchig brute who needs the steady hollered outta his feet.
That ain't the Todd Bowden of the novella. Not this Brad Renfro, with his staring--just that, staring. He does not manage a glare, but squints and stares blankly with a grimace of seeming constipation. Otherwise, a diligent enough actor--and dumb even-for-the-nineties haircut; he certainly seems troubled, doesn't he? And sexually crippled, the bane of the simplistic existence of a male teenager, I'd assume. He is impotent in the film, but is it not frightening to learn in the book that he has sex a handful of times and reaches sexual climax, to much fanfare and exquisite joy, by imagining that he is sadistically torturing his lover? As a woman: ay, yes. I'd like it to be noted that my opinion would, if it were absolutely unavoidable, be for the former sexually unfortunate encounter, thank you.
Until he kills Dussander's Mr. Economical (ten clams? get it together, girl!) in the basement, though, he's mostly just a creep. And there are a lot of small choices on the part of the film that seem purposeful in making Todd seem more like a rageful, impulsive teenager capable of cruelty but possessing batteries gone a shineless against the guarantee (he trips himself up, but nothing human skins when he falls)--his single murder is a good example of this. I understand wanting to tone down the more violent aspects, but in respect to this particular story: no sir. Knowing that he's already killed a number of people by this time (also important to note they are all derelicts, or, as King chooses, "stewbums") really clarifies the situation at hand and Todd's character at once. It also explains why film Todd returns to bury ol' $10 in the basement after returning from the hospital, whereas book Todd cleans up the situation immediately, professionally, accompanied by a litany of profanity and threat for Dussander. Todd is a criminal. And he cleans up the crime scene first because that is what must be done. You need to call the wolf, eh, Dussander?
But, either way: we get the idea. He's a psychotic asshole. The ending for this story is where things really deviate, and it's also where I think it cinches the win for the book (in this case I am considering everything from the schlimazel in the basement and Dussander's heart attack on to be "the ending").
It is important to the story that we know that Todd's a proficient murderer prior to Dussander's heart attack and he manages a number more before he is ostensibly killed (if not, jailed. King just says "they took him down"; I feel safe in assuming he is worm-meat) and gets what he has coming. When Ed French confronts him, he invites him to join "the fucking kraut in hell" and shoots him dead. He then goes to a place he often visited with his .30-.30 in the novella and fantasized about: a spot perfectly positioned above the highway, where he can pick off drivers and passengers at will. This time, though, his gun is loaded. Is this the real life? Or is it just fantasy?
This is narratively perfect to parri passu Dussander's suicide, which is slightly--but importantly--different between the book and film. It is worth mentioning, first, that his "discovery" by his roommate in the hospital is rather different between the two, but this I leave to you, reader, as I find that it is powerful regardless of the medium. But back to Dussander and his shuffle off the mortal coil; in the film, he blows air into his I.V. and has another heart attack, but this one is fatal. Book: he steals a number of Seconal from a supply closet and methodically takes them, smartly, like someone who had thought of this thing in their freetime, just in case. Three, and then three more, and then he waits until he is just drifting off to take a lethal amount. In his rapid slide from sedation into unconsciousness, the idea occurs to him that instead of blissful rest, the terrible dreams that plagued him (and poignantly, Todd) throughout the novella, the nightmares that only ceased once he loosed the pressure of the evil inside him and came back with a murder, await. And they won't ever be placated or escaped. It is too late.
They both do what they do in the end to escape responsibility, consequences. It surely says something that Dussander, in both film and book, chooses a cowardly death (I do not understand the legend of urb method of air embolism, but it is truly pathetic) while Todd is cruelly actionable. I suppose, really, when into the grit of things, that threatening to lie about being methodically molested by Ed French, guidance counselor and normal everyman, is not really so pale a shade of evil as shooting a bunch of people. Both take a hatred as intense as a thermos held hot in hell. Can you imagine? No. Don't. People are just people. I maintain, though, that this vile measure on film Todd's part is in in no way true to the character of the novella. Bryan Singer might have been going for a dark ending, one that keeps Todd alive to stomp his feet, clutch at his pearls, and petulantly threaten others in escalating spades. I suggest, reader, that he botched the intentions of the story with this ending.
So: BOOK. Novella, technically. Todd asks his failed sexual conquest, "Do you ever wonder why people do what they do?" And if you worry about that wonderment, then this story is for you. As Todd is reading/hearing the nitty gritty of the Holocaust, we are reading a serial killer's bildungsroman. It's astonishing stuff, and the story relies on the ending the novella provides to complete its story about Dussander and Todd, and it depends on the characters--as exposed in the novella--to build that dreadfully sinister dynamic. Because people are just people, like you. Recht?


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[UPDATE 10/6/2011: Well whaddya know...an Instalanche! One interesting note - Sharyl Attkisson who filed the report for CBS quoted below from October of 2008 is the CBS reporter who recently came under fire from the Obama administration for her reporting on Fast and Furious in which officials at the White House and DOJ screamed and yelled at her (I unintentionally misspelled her name as Cheryl Atkisson at the time because I was transcribing the video, but have now fixed it). Let's just say that Attkisson has been doing good work for years against the tide of the media in general - I have seen some blogs and commenters suggest that a willingness to report something negative about Obama must be something new to her. It's not.]
And Obama loves them back.
Hot Air points us to a CBS report on Obama's fundraising. Ed Morrissey notes:
However, they did a good job in reporting the fact that Obama likes to rail about Wall Street greed but uses bundlers right out of Goldman Sachs. The disparity in fundraising between McCain and Obama with these well-connected Wall Street firms is eye-opening.
Let's go to the effort to do a little transcription work on that CBS video at Hot Air:
Sharyl Attkisson, CBS Correspondent: Like McCain, Obama's corporate donor list reads like a who's who of the Wall Street collapse, only some are giving more to Obama. Lots more.
Sheila Krumholz, Center for Responsive Politics: The Obama campaign has just vacuumed up the money in this cycle. Specifically from Goldman Sachs, Obama has received over $740,000 as compared to McCain's $220,000.
Attkisson: Not to mention that the former head of Goldman Sachs, Robert Rubin, is Obama's chief economic adviser, and two current executives are bundling for him. Bundlers are mega-fundraisers who critics say get special access.
Well. Here we are again. First we had Obama railing about McCain being in the pocket of Big Oil -- and then found out about Obama taking in more campaign donations from Exxon employees than McCain. So we made the logo.
You know where this is heading, right?
Of course you do. It's not a trick question.
Obama has been a model of transparency.
He's transparently phony.


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A new study found that office managers who received mindfulness training not only were less stressed out during multitasking, but they also were able to concentrate longer without being diverted. Why isn't every company investing in this training?
Is multitasking ruining your life—and your effectiveness at work?
Here's good news, then: A new study from the University of Washington, done by two computer scientists with help from a neuropsychologist, has found that human resource managers who did eight weeks of mindfulness training not only were less stressed out by their daily multitasking—but they also were able to concentrate longer without being distracted.
Those who meditated before multitasking spent more time on tasks and switched tasks less often, but took no more time to complete their work. They also showed improved memory of the tasks they were doing.
Hallelujah! I don't know about you, but that sounds like training that should be required in every office.
Mindful companies
And some of the smartest companies already are. Did you catch the New York Times Magazine feature about Google's mindfulness guru, Chade-Meng Tan, and his "Search Inside Yourself" free class that focuses on attention training, self-knowledge and self–mastery, and the creation of useful mental habits?
More than 1,000 employees have already taken it and report afterwards that they are, for instance, more resilient leaders, more able to listen to colleagues and be less reactive. No doubt, those benefits extend to employees' home lives as well.
An ancient practice, mindfulness seems an increasingly relevant tool for achieving and sustaining wellness and success in today's nonstop world. And scientific studies backing its physical benefits—including immune system enhancement, lower blood pressure, and reduced arthritis pain to name just a few—continue to pile up.
I'd love to see my company, New Hope Natural Media and its parent company Penton Media, offer mindfulness training to employees in the near future. I'm certain we'd all reap benefits not only in efficiency and morale, but also in reduced medical and insurance costs.
What about your company? Are you already doing programs like this—or do you think you could rally your team? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.


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Other Support;Wing Night at the VFW;MD-3
January 26, 2017 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Frost & Sullivan: Asia Pacific to Drive Global Services Industry in 2013
Jan 28, 2013, 11:22 EST
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The global services industry looks to maintain strong growth momentum heading into 2013, with the Asia-Pacific market as a major driving force. Asia-Pacific continues to be preferred locations of choice with India, China, The Philippines, and Malaysia followed by Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
In 2012, the complex and uncertain global economic conditions, persistent struggle in the Europe markets, combined with sluggish growth in the US due to impacted elections, and similarly tamed growth in developing markets (China, India and Brazil) affected the outsourcing industry as a whole.
The Asia-Pacific market outlook is prominently positive due to their domestic growth potential and with accelerated momentum they are likely to gain further from global outsourcing. However, Latin America is looked to benefit from the near-shore trend and is likely to come up as competitor to APAC destinations. With increasing focus on cost, rural sourcing is set to pick up with government interest.
According to Krishna Baidya, Industry Manager, ICT Practice APAC, Frost & Sullivan, "The large LATAM market is location-dependant and locations such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru are likely to register outsourcing growth whereas destinations such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras are likely come up often while picking nearshore destination."
"Global services providers are likely to set or expand their presence in those markets to take advantage of the market sentiment," he added.
Changes in wage costs and shifts in currency in the volatile financial markets also affect location preference. Amid currency devaluation, Baltic States like Estonia and Latvia move up in the preferred destination list. Improving fundamentals and infrastructure has helped Egypt and United Arab Emirates (UAE) gain prominence.
Technology trends in cloud computing, mobility, social, big data and security will look to change the industry in 2013, with data security as the critical focus. The trends offer new growth opportunity, potential of better productivity and lead to the development of new innovative business models, which will address the stiffened market competition. There are also new opportunities for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as there is a fundamental shift in relationships between organizations and their customers, touch points and modes of communication.
Organisations will look to utilize a broad mix of service delivery options including shared services and cloud technology, with key emphasis on business value creation. Analytics capability will be a crucial component to future service revenue and to move up the value chain.
Organisations will also continue to leverage on outsourcing to optimize operations and gain productive returns. However, they are likely to work on cost-savings; prudent about outsourcing services and savvier in contract negotiation. Service providers will look to address such challenges and focus on relationship development with clients through enhanced value and quality service offerings.
Frost & Sullivan forecasts joint ventures; business outcome based pricing, revenue-sharing arrangements to become more commonplace in the near-term. Innovative pricing and engagement models, along with the evolution of the delivery model are also expected as competition in the market stiffens and pressure on profit margin rises. Business relationships between outsourcer stakeholders and organisations will be looked to develop into more efficient partnerships.
The overall growth within the global services industry is expected as nearshore forecast is poised for acceleration. Offshore outlook is predicted to maintain its strong position while onshore forecast will be a major driving factor with continued domestic market growth in the Emerging Nations.
About Frost & Sullivan
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For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?
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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan